the best slow cooker beef stew
i LOVE beef stew. i have been leary of writing a recipe since there are so many variations that i like to make. sometimes, i want more acidity and add canned tomatoes. other times, i just add a tad bit of red wine vinegar. i like to play around with the vegetables i use in it, too. this recipe is very versatile and definitely one that i make often. it is a 'very' cold winter... one of the coldest we have had in a while. it is something about beef stew cooking in the crock-pot with snow outside and hot chocolate on the stove. i hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. it is easily a recipe you can make your own.
ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil -
- 2 lbs stew beef -
- 6 cups beef stock -
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce -
- 1 tablespooon tomato paste -
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning -
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 large russet potatoes - cubed
- 2 stalks celery - cubed
- 2 large carrots - cubed
- 1 onion - cubed
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch -
- 1 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar -
instructions:
- heat a large skillet over high heat. add the oil and some of the stewed beef. allow to sear by not moving the meat for a few minutes. please do not overcrowd the pan, as they will not sear but boil. season the meat with salt/pepper to taste.
- move the browned meat to a plate.
- once all the meat is brown, add about 1/2 cup of the beef stock to the pan. using a whisk, scrape the drippings from the bottom of the pan.
- pour the drippings over the browned meat and add to the slow cooker.
- in a bowl, combine the beef stock, worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, italian seasoning, and garlic. add to the crock-pot as well.
- chop the veggies and add to the mixture in the crockpot. cook on low for 6 - 8 hours.
- in the last hour of cooking, ladle out the sauce created in the crock-pot and add it to a bowl with the cornstarch. whisk together well and add it back into the crockpot.
- right before serving, add a tablespoon or so of the red wine vinegar to taste. if you would like more acidity, consider adding a can of tomatoes.
serve over rice, noodles, mashed potatoes or in a big bowl with crusty bread.
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